Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[mr_missile]

No quick return for Rooney

Wayne Rooney's hopes of a quick comeback from the wound he sustained during Manchester United's win over Fulham look certain to be dashed.

Rooney remained in hospital overnight as medical staff assessed the extent of the injury he sustained when Hugo Rodallega landed on him in stoppage time.

Immediately after the game, Sir Alex Ferguson said it was "a very bad one" which would rule his forward out for four weeks.

This has been emphasised by the reaction of surgeons who were "surprised" at the depth of the cut.

Rooney returned home on Sunday morning after a comfortable night.

However, his chances of figuring in next Sunday's Premier League encounter with Southampton appear non-existent and it seems inevitable he will also miss England's opening World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine next month.

Roy Hodgson is due to name his squad on Thursday, at which point it will be surely too early for any risk to be taken with Rooney's recovery.

The one reason for optimism is that when Nani needed stitches in a nasty wound, admittedly below the knee, inflicted by Jamie Carragher at Liverpool in March 2011, Ferguson immediately put the recovery timescale at three weeks, yet the Portugal winger was back in action nine days later.

With the start of another Champions League campaign and a trip to Liverpool looming straight after the international break, any reduction in that four-week timescale would be a bonus for Ferguson.

Rodallega has been cleared of any blame for the incident, which happened as Rooney attempted to close down a free-kick that had just rebounded back to the Colombian.

The sheer force of Rodallega landing on Rooney caused the damage and it appeared the Fulham man was wearing studs, rather than the blades some have argued cause greater injury.

Rooney's condition helped deflect attention away from the fact he did not feature in the United starting line-up yesterday, although Ferguson was at pains to stress there are "no problems" with the forward.

Instead of being paired with new signing Robin van Persie, Rooney was left on the bench as Ferguson kept faith with Shinji Kagawa following that dire defeat at Everton on Monday.

Rooney was amongst those to perform well below expectations at Goodison Park and many fans yesterday immediately hailed Ferguson's decision as the right one.

However, it must have been a blow to the striker's pride if nothing else.

And with the transfer window due to close on Friday, there is bound to be some talk of Rooney's future, if only outside the club.

Certainly Ferguson was quick to quell such talk even as Rooney was heading to hospital.

"He and Robin van Persie are needing games," said the Scot.

"To start the two of them would have been too much. Wayne understood that.

"There is no problem. He played his part when he came on."

Rooney did have just three pre-season outings, although including the Everton game, did have five hours' action under his belt prior to kick-off, significantly more than Van Persie, who admits he is still a couple of weeks away from full fitness.

However, whilst Kagawa was excellent yesterday, what must also be factored into Ferguson's use of the summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund is that his international break involves a draining return home and World Cup qualifiers against United Arab Emirates and Iraq.

Ferguson noted with Park Ji-Sung that his performance levels tended to dip in such circumstances, so the threat to Rooney's status as United's number one man need not be long lasting.

And Van Persie, whilst keen to spread the praise across his team-mates, expects Rooney to be his main strike partner this season.

"Wayne is a world-class player," said the Dutchman.

"He can give you everything; assists, goals. He is quick, technical. He loves to link up as well.

"I am looking forward to that combination of course.

"I am a football fan. I like to enjoy my work. With Wayne and all the others I think I can do that."

[mr_missile]

Cleverley warned over consistency

Michael Carrick has told Tom Cleverley he must maintain the highest of standards if he is truly to make a big impression at Manchester United.

After spending various spells away from Old Trafford on loan, Cleverley first caught the eye 12 months ago when he was an integral member in United's flying start to the season.

A succession of injuries curtailed that involvement and also robbed the midfielder of his chance to impress new England boss Roy Hodgson ahead of Euro 2012.

Now though, Cleverley has benefited from his Olympic experience, finally won his first England cap against Italy earlier this month and last weekend brought that form to the Premier League once more as he helped inspire United to their first win of the season against Fulham.

Carrick has always felt the 23-year-old was a player of potential.

It is showing that on a regular basis which will determine how far Cleverley will advance at the highest level.

"He's got the talent and the ability - we've all seen that," said Carrick.

"He's comfortable dealing with the pressures that come with playing for the club. There is no danger about that.

"It's just about keeping the standards high - we set the standards and the hard part is keeping to that standard consistently.

"There is no magic ingredient. It's just about learning and getting experience. The more games he plays the better he'll play."

Cleverley has resisted the temptation to regard last term as a wasted year.

Carrick though acknowledges those long periods on the sidelines were a handicap the Yorkshire-raised player could have done without.

At a time when the driving force of United's midfield is still being questioned, Carrick, who has been operating as an emergency defender following a spate of pre-season injuries, feels Cleverley offers an option that could come in very handy as the weeks tick by in the battle for major honours.

"Tom is a very intelligent and clever footballer," he said.

"It's a shame the way his season panned out last year because he started so well.

"He's got a lot to bring [to midfield].

"That's one of the good things about our midfielders. We all bring different things when called upon which gives the manager options.

"That is vital given how many games we're hoping to play this season."

[mr_missile]

Berbatov heading for Fulham?

Juventus claim Manchester United's Dimitar Berbatov won't be joining them and is instead set to sign for Fulham.

Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta has revealed Dimitar Berbatov will not be joining the Italian champions, claiming the Manchester United striker is on the verge of signing for Fulham.

The 31-year-old Bulgarian looked set for a switch to Fiorentina earlier on Wednesday, having agreed terms with the Viola and been asked to head to Florence for a medical.

However, Berbatov never arrived in Italy, prompting Fiorentina to accuse Serie A rivals Juve of hijacking the deal, only for the player to reportedly decide he wants to remain in England.

Marotta insisted Juve had "acted with the maximum fairness and transparency" towards Fiorentina, who earlier accused the Turin club of scuppering their deal for Berbatov with "reckless and arrogant actions".

"We have much to discuss with Fiorentina," Marotta said to Sky Sport Italia.

"We have acted with the maximum fairness and transparency with regard to the market dynamics.

"I reject the allegations from Fiorentina. We entered into the business over Berbatov when we heard that he had refused Fiorentina, and in the meantime there was a proposal by Fulham.

"We made our own, then the player said he preferred to stay in England for family reasons. It was not a rejection.

"We wanted to take advantage of an opportunity that had appeared to us in the market. Many teams were following the player."

A statement from Fiorentina earlier read: "ACF Fiorentina announces that the acquisition of Dimitar Berbatov finally fell through after an agreement had been reached with Manchester United [exchange of contract, the first instalment of the consideration paid and surety for the second instalment already signed] and after it had reached a verbal understanding with the player on his contract.

"During today, the English club granted its affiliated written permission for the player to travel to Florence for a medical and to sign the contract.

"[We thought] the player had embarked, accompanied by his attorney, on a flight - tickets paid for by Fiorentina - to Florence.

"But the player never arrived in Florence....because of reckless and arrogant actions of other companies, which have nothing to do with the values of honesty, fair play and ethics of sport and that lie beyond the boundaries of loyalty.

"As for the player, despite his characteristics and his technical merit, at this point we are happy that he did not come to Fiorentina. He did not deserve our city and our shirt and the values it represents."

Berbatov has scored 48 league goals at United, helping them to two Premier League titles, but his Old Trafford future has been in doubt since he was left out of the squad for the 2010-11 Champions League final against Barcelona at Wembley.

Despite slipping down the pecking order last year he reminded any potential suitors of his goalscoring class with a hat-trick against Wigan on Boxing Day, before adding two more in the unexpected home defeat to Blackburn five days later.

Last month he admitted he was resigned to leaving the club this summer, saying it would be "better for everyone" if he exited Old Trafford.

[CTOA3954]

Why do the Man Utd supporters here not have a predict the score contest?

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by CTOA3954

Why do the Man Utd supporters here not have a predict the score contest?

gd idea. but we need someone who can afford the time to consolidate all the predictions and results.

any volunteers? i can contribute my humble 9 points for the right predictions.

[dc7176]

Originally Posted by CTOA3954

Why do the Man Utd supporters here not have a predict the score contest?

we used to hav a liverpool fan who organise this predict the score for us!!

Tiko cum_luver kor kor... r u here??

[deheasammy]

Berbatov is one wasted talent on the Utd bench

[machoman]

Originally Posted by mr_missile

gd idea. but we need someone who can afford the time to consolidate all the predictions and results.

any volunteers? i can contribute my humble 9 points for the right predictions.

If anyone wishes to start the predictions competition, I will also volunteer to award my points to the winners.

[jitlong69]

Tonight RVP, great finishing especially his last goal during extra time. As for the penalty looks like he has taken too big a step before kicking. Anyway good that he bag his first hattrick in ManU shirt and a win is a win.

[machoman]

van Persie hits hat-trick as Man Utd break Southampton hearts

Monday, September 03, 2012

Manchester United have produced a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Southampton to mark Sir Alex Ferguson’s 1000th league game in charge of the club.

Robin van Persie netted a hat-trick to take his Premier League tally to 100 goals as the Red Devils twice fell behind before scoring two goals in five minutes to produce a massive victory over an unlucky Saints outfit.

Against the script, Southampton took the lead in the 16th minute when main man Rickie Lambert got on the end of Jason Puncehon’s left-footed cross from the right to powerfully head home past Anders Lindegaard, who was preferred to David de Gea, at the back post.

But soon enough parity was restored as United’s newest ace van Persie superbly controlled Antonio Valencia’s rightwing cross from the right to then place his left-footed effort across Kelvin Davis, who got a glancing leg to the ball, and in for his second goal in his second start for the club.

Nigel Adkins’ Saints side were working tirelessly throughout and got another reward when Lambert received the ball from Puncheon before sitting it up for an advancing Morgan Schneiderlin to make the most of Patrice Evra’s slip and head home for a second for the home team.

But just as the Saints thought they had come away with a rare win over United, van Persie bobbed up to score an equaliser with a few minutes left when Rio Ferdinand’s header hit the upright to see the former Arsenal star fire home from close range from the deflection off the woodwork.

In injury-time, van Persie gave United maximum points when he got free at the edge of the six-yard box to glance home a header from Nani’s corner to send last season’s runners-up to fifth position on the table.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, Southampton gave away a penalty when Jos Hooiveld slid in behind on van Persie with referee Mike Dean having no hesitation in making the decision, however, Davis was able to keep out the Dutchman’s chipped attempt from the spot.

In the end, however, van Persie saved the day for United to endear himself to his new fans as the Saints remained at the foot of the top flight table.

Southampton: 2 (Rickie Lambert 16’, Morgan Schneiderlin 55’) Manchester United: 3 (Robin van Persie 23’/87’/90+2’)

St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton – 31,609

Yellow cards: SOU - Jos Hooiveld 68’ MU - nil

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by machoman

van Persie hits hat-trick as Man Utd break Southampton hearts

the "perfect" hat-trick : 1st goal with his left foot, 2nd with his right and the winner with his head. what a befitting gift to sir alex on his 1000th game in-charge of united.

[mr_missile]

Originally Posted by deheasammy

Berbatov is one wasted talent on the Utd bench

agree that he is a class act. but he needs games and i thank him for his service to united and wish him the best at fulham.

[mr_missile]

Berba: Fergie's lost my respect

Dimitar Berbatov has hit out at Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson over his treatment during his final season at Old Trafford.

The Bulgarian striker last week joined Fulham in a deal worth a reported £5million after falling out of favour at United.

The 31-year-old cost United £30.75million in 2008 and was the Premier League's top scorer in 2010-11 but made just 12 league appearances last term.

The beginning of the end appeared to come when he was left out of the matchday squad completely for the 2011 Champions League final against Barcelona.

Speaking at a press conference in Sofia, Berbatov told reporters: "I don't think I deserved such treatment at United - not playing in the last year.

"I went more than 10, probably 15, times to ask the coach if they need me.

"And every time I was told that I'm an important player and should not leave, but then again I was not in the team.

"Maybe I should've gone when he [Ferguson] left me out of the squad for the Champions League final.

"I know he's the boss, but he has lost, to some extent, my respect because of the way he treated me."

Berbatov found himself below Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck in the Old Trafford pecking order last season and this summer's arrivals of Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa threatened his place further.

Berbatov felt he was the victim of a decision by Ferguson to play with a different style.

He said: "He tried to explain to me that the team will be using a more direct style, with more speed.

"But I've never been among the fastest players, I like to hold the ball, this is my style.

"I found it hard to accept his decision - I still have my dignity. I scored many goals, I won the league two times, and I was the league top scorer, so it's not bad.

"I'll have no problems playing against United as this already happened in my career. But there's no point to look back again.

"I said goodbye to the people who deserve it. I couldn't say goodbye to Ferguson."

Berbatov's move to Fulham was not without controversy as he angered Fiorentina by turning down the chance to join them and then snubbed Juventus.

Berbatov defended his position, saying: "I've never personally told them, 'Yes, I'll play for you'.

"It's not my problem that someone is disappointed. After all, I choose where to play and be happy."

Berbatov's agent Emil Danchev also revealed that Tottenham made a last-ditch attempt to re-sign their former player.

He said: "We were in touch with Tottenham at the last moment."

[mr_missile]

I can't hide from Fergie - Roo

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney knows he has to be at the top of his game or risk the wrath of manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

The England forward admits that he put on seven pounds during the off-season but explained the hard work he puts in during training makes the excess weight easy to shift.

"As a striker, I need to work hard all the time. I need to be sharp, which means my fitness has to be right to play well. If it isn't, it shows," he told the Daily Mirror, who are serialising his latest autobiography.

"It would probably be different if I were a full-back. I could hide a bit, make fewer runs into the opposition half and get away with it.

"As a centre-forward for Manchester United, there's no place to hide. I've got to work as hard as I can, otherwise the manager will haul me off the pitch or drop me for the next game.

"There's no room for failure or second best at this club."

Rooney found that out late last year after he was dropped for a match against Blackburn at Old Trafford.

Ferguson was unhappy after it came to light Rooney had been out socialising after a game.

"I'm happy at Manchester United, despite the downs that sometimes take place at a football club," he continued.

"Like when we stuff Wigan 5-0 on Boxing Day. I go out for dinner with a few of the lads, and our other halves, to a hotel.

"The next day, the manager pulls me up and tells me he's not happy and doesn't feel I've trained properly.

"He fines me, but there's worse to come. I'm dropped for the next game, on New Year's Eve, against Blackburn.

"At a lot of clubs, people wouldn't bat an eyelid at players having a night out six days before a game. But that's the difference at Manchester United and a mark of the high standards the manager demands.

"It's a big deal, another lesson learned."

And Rooney also knows his body is not as durable as it used to be.

"Physically I've taken a bit of a battering over the years; being lumped by Transformer-sized centre-backs or having my muscles smashed by falls, shoulder barges and last-ditch tackles, day in, day out, has left me a bit bruised," Rooney, currently sidelined for a month after having his leg wounded during a game with Fulham, said.

"When I get up in the morning after a game, I struggle to walk for the first half-an-hour. I ache a bit. It wasn't like that when I was a lad.

"I remember sometimes when I finished training or playing with Everton and United, I'd want to play some more. But football has had a massive impact on my body because my game is based on speed, power and intensity.

"Like any player I'm fearful of getting a career-ending injury. I could be in the best form of my life and then one day a bad tackle might finish my time in the sport. It's over then.

"But that's the risk I take as a player in every match. I know football is such a short career that one day, at any age, the game could be snatched from me unexpectedly.

"So I want to decide when I leave football, not a physio, or an opponent's boot."

[mr_missile]

Henriquez seals Man Utd move

Manchester United have unveiled Angelo Henriquez after finally completing the formalities of his transfer from Universidad de Chile.

The Chile Under-23 striker has joined the Red Devils for an undisclosed fee after they exercised an option to sign the 18-year-old that has been in place since 2009.

Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson told the club's official website: "Angelo has made a tremendous impact on the game in his short career so far.

"His pace is a great asset and he reads the game really well for someone of such a young age.

"We have a proud record of developing young talent and Angelo fits the profile of a United player - skilful, attacking and someone who plays the game with real flair."

Henriquez said: "I am thrilled to be joining the biggest club in the world. Manchester United is a great team and has a great manager.

"To be able to be part of that is a huge honour and I can't wait to get started. I hope I can be part of many successful years with United."